Aug 15, 2016 / Community Pool

Community Pool

The place for feedback, advice, and friendly blogging chatter.

Have you just published a new post and are dying for some feedback? Are you redesigning your blog and could use some layout or design advice from your more seasoned peers?

The Community Pool is for peer feedback and advice. Looking for more specific information? Check out some of these resources:

Tap into the wisdom of The Daily Post blogging community and leave your question here in the comments. Others can then click through and offer input either on your site, or in the comments here (feel free to indicate which you’d prefer).

Looking for free, self-guided courses to help you get started with your blog (or revive a dormant one)? Check out our current offerings at Blogging U.

To help us make the Community Pool a productive space for discussion, here are some tips you might find useful:

  • While you’re not required to, we encourage everyone who requests feedback to also reply to at least one or two other bloggers who need some help. Spread the love!
  • The Community Pool comments section can get quite big — and starting duplicate threads doesn’t help. Thanks for not posting the same question more than once!
  • If you’re looking for quality feedback, be as specific as you can. Questions about a particular post tend to draw more comments than ones about entire blogs. Questions about specific design elements are more likely to be answered than ones asking for general layout advice.
  • We discourage leaving links without a more substantive message or question. These are often overlooked by other bloggers, and we frequently remove them to make the comment reading experience smoother.
  • Please keep all comments civil and constructive. The idea is to have fun — it’s a pool, after all!
  • To keep from losing your place in the comment thread while you visit others’ blogs, right-click on a link to open it in a new tab or window.
  • If you haven’t looked at our Commenting Guidelines in a while, now might be a good time.
  • No running on the deck.

Are you a new blogger looking to share your very first post? We have a special forum for bloggers just like you in our weekly First Friday posts.

Show Comments

1,228 Comments

Comments are closed.

Close Comments

Comments

  1. Hello again! I hope everyone is having a great start to their week 😀

    Last week’s feedback was amazing as always, and I’m ready for more criticism to help fine tune my blog. I’ve added a new featured post, as well as a contact form on my About page, so if you’re interested in organising guest posts then please contact me there!

    As always I’m more than happy to provide feedback in return if you leave a comment.

    Thanks!

    Blog: https://thatdjentyfool.wordpress.com/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thatdjentyfool/

    Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/robertsiggins/that-djenty-fool/

    Featured Post: https://thatdjentyfool.wordpress.com/2016/08/12/review-slow-death-by-carnifex/

    Recent Post: https://thatdjentyfool.wordpress.com/2016/08/15/monday-fun-day-metal-albums-with-googly-eyes/

    Like

  2. Hey guys,

    I haven’t been posting as much as I should have but having time off college has helped me get out and start taking photos again. I have recently posted the images from my trip to Madrid and have another post lined up so I would love it if you could head over and have a look – maybe even click like or follow 😉

    Thanks,
    Joe

    https://joetakesphotos.wordpress.com/

    Liked by 17 people

      2. Interesting point. I love to read about what other people are experiencing, but, there may be people out there that want to focus on the images.

        If you do try writing – maybe you can have spots with just pictures, and spots where you write a little.

        But of course, you should do what your heart is telling you to 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

    6. Faith.. I find your layout very interesting leading your viewer to wonder what the picture represents. Are those your photos? They are beautiful. I read through some of your posts, enjoying the peek into your world and relating too much! Following!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you!!! ❤ I wish they were my photos but sadly I did not take them. I respect the people that did but it was just a lot of searching on google on my part. Once again thanks for reading my blog! 😀

        Like

  4. Check out my blog if you fancy something a little different (maybe) to what you’re used to, it’s a mix of things that happen to me and things I’m annoyingly opinionated on, here’s a couple of recent posts, both very different from each other:

    https://emmasguidetothegalaxy.com/2016/07/13/fields/

    https://emmasguidetothegalaxy.com/2016/08/14/year-two/

    There’s also links to my social media profiles on there too, would be awesome to get to know more of you.

    Liked by 9 people

    2. Hi! I really like the layout of your blog. You have a wonderful way with words. You are a beautiful young lady with lots to offer on here through your blog. Good Luck with it! If you can, please check out my blog at http://merrymadnessblog.wordpress.com I am fairly new at blogging so I am trying to learn all i can and could use all the feedback I can get! Thanks!

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Hi Everyone!
    I try to write personal stories that everyone can relate to and I’m constantly looking for ways to improve. I would love some feedback on how I did with my latest story and/or ways I can improve upon my storytelling to make it more relatable/entertaining/easy to read.

    I ran until I cried.

    I will be sure to visit as many of your sites as I can to return the favor. Thank you all!
    James

    Liked by 10 people

      1. Thank you! I read through some of your stories as well. You have a real skill for pulling readers into the story immediately. Really fun to read. I’ll definitely be stopping by your blog regularly!

        Liked by 2 people

      1. Thank you for the comment! I checked out your blog and I really enjoy the theme and how organized your posts are. You make it so easy to fall into the rabbit hole of the different aspects of leadership!

        Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you! I love your blog too! I found myself wishing that I could have you as my travel guide. I’ll definitely be looking to your blog before I travel anywhere to see if you have some tips for me!

        Like

      1. Thank you! I checked out your blog, too. I’m so jealous of all of your travels but it’s so cool to see all of your pictures and read about your experiences. Thanks for sharing!

        Liked by 1 person

    7. James,

      Wow – what a great post!! I have had similar experiences on bike rides, and actually when I was running (even though I don’t think of myself as a runner either).

      I love how you lost all track of time, were able to work through your problems and clear your head, and how you found yourself completely in the moment!!

      Have you thought of including any pictures?

      🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you! I checked out some of your stories, too. You’re super hardcore! It’s really fun to read about you adventures in biking.

        I’m not the kind of person who thinks in pictures. I always come home after doing/seeing something cool and think, “oops, I should’ve taken a picture!” It took me a while before I was even adding a single picture to my posts. So the answer to your question is: Yes! I’ve thought of including pictures but I kind of suck at it…baby steps! Thanks again!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Thanks James!!! That’s such a compliment that you think I am hardcore…I just try to survive out there 🙂 Most of my pictures were taken by my husband when I am riding – so I am lucky to have that. I agree with you – lots of times I wish I stopped and took more, but too busy focusing on the ride.

        Liked by 1 person

    8. Hi James, I read your story “I ran until I cried” and have a few comments that will hopefully help. Just structurally, as a reader I want to see sentences of varying flow to get optimum amusement out of the story. I noticed that a lot of the time you started your sentences with “I”, I did this or I decided to do that, and that’s good added personalization but it also gets a little tedious for the reader. I would suggest changing up the fluency of your sentences a little bit and starting with the predicate instead of constantly beginning with the subject. Content wise, I think the idea of creating stories this personal with a problem and resolution is a brilliant cognitive catharsis. I’m a psychology fanatic, and I can’t commend personal journals enough — so to express yourself online with such creative audacity I think is scintillating. You learn so much about yourself that way. Please keep up the wonderful work.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. What a great comment. Thank you so much. You’re right that I begin too many sentences with “I”. The original idea was to keep my stories in this very personal space and hope the reader can identify and impose their own story on top of it but I agree that the approach is a bit singular. I’ll certainly keep that in mind while writing from now on. That’s fantastic advice and I appreciate it very much!

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Hello again! I hope everyone is having a great start to their week 😀

    Last week’s feedback was amazing as always, and I’m ready for more criticism to help fine tune my blog. I’ve added a new featured post, as well as a contact form on my About page, so if you’re interested in organising guest posts then please contact me there!

    As always I’m more than happy to provide feedback in return if you leave a comment.

    Thanks!

    Blog: https://thatdjentyfool.wordpress.com/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thatdjentyfool/

    Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/robertsiggins/that-djenty-fool/

    Like

    1. Hey! I like the layout of your new blog. I did notice that this message on your first post, “This is your very first post. Click the Edit link to modify or delete it, or start a new post. If you like, use this post to tell readers why you started this blog and what you plan to do with it.” I just thought I’d let you know that this is visible to anyone visiting your blog so you can delete it.
      Good luck with your blog!

      Liked by 1 person

      2. Hi, good luck with your blog! The text widget on the right needs some changing, you can for example shortly tell who you are 😉 or you can just delete it

        Like

    2. I wish you all the best with your blog site!!!

      As a suggestion, you might want to make sure that words are not broken up around the pictures, and that the message can be clearly read 🙂

      Like

    3. Take some time and really personalize your blog. Add widgets, write an About page, add colours and make sure everything is in order. In terms of your post, watch your formatting, as it’s not very neat from your home page.
      Happy Blogging!

      Like

  9. Hello! Happy Monday everyone. My blog is full of short stories, poems, and musings derived from my own experiences, observations, and imagination 🙂

    I would love some feedback in particular on this short story linked below:

    https://sonderwriter.wordpress.com/2016/07/30/goodbye-before-it-ends/

    It does not have as many comments/views as others. I’d appreciate knowing how the story made you feel, what you thought about its pace…whether it was interesting, what you thought of the language, etc.

    Also please feel free to browse my other poems and stories, and leave comments/feedback on those 🙂

    Liked by 11 people

    2. Hello! Enjoyed your short story. I felt a sense of dread right away and so I was not shocked by the ending but it made me curious of the couple’s history, from her perspective in particular. Great job holding my interest and making me curious.

      Liked by 1 person

    4. The name of your blog is impeccable. It really caught my eye. I’m also so enthused that you have a passion for writing. I actually have a writing challenge series on my blog that I think you would make an exceptional candidate for! Check out my blog under SWOS if you’re interested. And happy writing! https://dayswithfatimah.wordpress.com

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Thank you. Yes there are so many beautiful beaches from North to South and the thing about Albania is that although being so small besides beaches, you have all kind of possibilities when riding, driving, walking, hiking and check out the beauties like icy lakes in the mountains, water lillies lakes, rivers all over the country creating amazing canyons. And for winter holidays, if you like snow you have that. And so much more related to architecture, from Illyrian to nowdays, history, culture and tradition and food. The bunkers are some of the comunist regime remains unfortunately.

        Liked by 2 people

  16. Hi everyone, happy Monday!

    My blog is about names (baby names, character names, etc.). Once a week I post a selection of rare names that were given to real babies in the U.S. last year; that is, the names that weren’t popular enough to appear on the top 1000 list that a lot of us see, but still registered enough times to appear in an extended set. Would love it if you all would read some of these posts! Here’s a link to the latest one: https://wellinformednamer.wordpress.com/2016/08/14/below-the-top-1000-part-14-boys/

    As usual, feel free to explore the rest of my site! Feedback is always welcome too. 🙂

    Liked by 6 people

    1. A great resource, one I could have really used when picking our kids’ names because it was a really hard thing to do.

      I like, for example, the background you give on “Nallely,” especially the pronunciation tips!

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Even though I’m not looking to name a child I think that this is such an awesome, unique idea for a blog! I will probably be perusing it when I’m looking for unique character names.

      You have a lot of time and effort put into your explanations which I find fascinating!

      My only suggestion would be to pull a little more of your own personality to the forefront. I want to know why you’re so interested in names then what inspired you to do this! You may cover that in a poster an about page somewhere but I’d like to see it shine through.

      Thanks for being an awesome, unique individual and yes, that is the second time I’ve used that terminology in this comment!

      Following…….!

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Haha thank you so much! Thanks for the meaningful advice about shining a light on my personality more. I agree, and it’s something I’ve been thinking about…I’m just trying to balance that with being a very private individual. Baby steps!

        Liked by 1 person

    1. My personal experience is consistent with the findings you reported. I generally do not have multiple applications open at the same time. As I’m swimming in the pool now, there is no music playing and I only have WordPress open. I have a “no multiple media until 5pm rule.” After that, all bets are off 🙂 https://gracelead.co

      Liked by 2 people

    2. “I ate a banana for divorce.” (Anything to cope.) Haha. Yes, thanks for this post. I feel like people are always lying to themselves/potential employers bragging about how good a ‘multi-tasker’ they are. Don’t believe it. And I really like your Kanjuro Shibata painting to go along with this post. I would like to become better at focusing and being 100% present in what I’m doing, but it’s an uphill battle. For instance, if my baby’s crying, don’t expect me to remember what’s cooking in the oven or to finish a coherent sentence! Oh, and as I write this, my daughter is watching ‘Madeline’ on another tab.

      Liked by 1 person

    3. Hi! I read through a few of your posts. I enjoyed reading what you have on your blog. I honestly thought I would find more psychology related posts, but after reading your “About” page, I see you don’t solely focus on psychology on your blog…which is fine! I am intrigued by different aspects of psychology and look to expand my view on it. Anyway, like I said, you have a good blog going. If you could, please check out my blog as I am fairly new at blogging. You can find my blog at http://merrymadnessblog.wordpress.com Thanks!

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Hi,
    Visit my blog, I would love to get some feedback!
    Please comment on any of the posts so that I can visit you back…
    I would love to make new friends…
    Have a wonder day!
    😊😊

    Liked by 7 people

    1. Well-written! Don’t change a word 🙂 If you’re looking for suggestions, consider adding an image! It breaks up the text and adds a little color. Blogging is a very visual medium, after all.

      Would you be willing to check out one of my posts? Click on my name and choose whichever one appeals to you most:)

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Really like your blog and particularly the picture on your poem ‘tomorrow’ the rainbow is beautiful

      Like

    1. Well-said! 🙂 I enjoyed reading this very much (and actually read it earlier today, before Community Pool!)

      Would you be willing to check out one of my posts? Click on my name and choose whichever one appeals to you most:)

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Great start! I really enjoy your writing. Have to agree with the other comment..add some pics and it will hold people longer. 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

    1. Great post! You have a lot to be proud of. Keep your head up and never give up hope. You’ve achieve more than most in today’s world. Keep plugging away and something great will come along.

      Like

  28. Hey guys, I recently started writing a series of mine titled Music Rambles where I’ll be talking about the newest music, what I’ve been getting into, criticize it, and more. Here’s the link to my first one, would love feedback on it and maybe help on titling each new one!
    https://bluevibesblog.wordpress.com/2016/08/11/music-ramble-01/
    And I wrote a somewhat lengthy, funny read on bringing awareness to age gap relationships from my city and why it’s a problem here:
    https://bluevibesblog.wordpress.com/2016/08/10/the-age-gap/
    And a rant on Buzzfeed Feminist views here (for the ones looking for humor and more)
    https://bluevibesblog.wordpress.com/2016/08/08/buzzfeed-feminism-rant
    Thanks!

    Like